Why is Chevy discontinuing Malibu?
Chevrolet is discontinuing the Malibu after the 2023 model year as part of a broader shift away from sedans toward SUVs, trucks, and future electric vehicles. The move reflects market demand and a strategic realignment rather than a problem with the car itself.
Official rationale and timing
Chevrolet publicly confirmed that the Malibu would end after the 2023 model year, signaling the brand’s intent to simplify its lineup and invest more heavily in higher-demand segments and future technologies. The decision aligns with GM’s broader push to prioritize SUVs, trucks, and electrified models over traditional passenger cars.
Key factors driving the decision
To help readers understand the rationale, the following factors were cited by Chevrolet and GM when explaining the move:
- Shifting consumer demand from mid-size sedans to SUVs and crossovers
- Desire to focus limited engineering and manufacturing resources on higher-margin vehicles
- Need to invest in future propulsion options, including electric vehicles
- Product portfolio simplification to improve efficiency and profitability
- End-of-life planning for an aging midsize sedan platform
In short, the Malibu’s discontinuation is framed as part of a broader industry trend toward larger, more versatile vehicles and a pivot to electrification, rather than a singular failure of the model.
Market trends and consumer demand
The auto market over the past decade has shown a persistent tilt toward SUVs and trucks as the dominant vehicle category in the United States and many other regions. This shift has pressed traditional sedans, including the Malibu, into smaller share of overall sales. Automotive groups, including Chevrolet, have responded by reallocating resources toward vehicles with higher demand and greater profitability, while ramping up investment in electrified offerings.
- SUVs and crossovers dominate new-vehicle volumes, shrinking the share for mid-size sedans
- Automakers prioritize models that support higher profitability and faster technology adoption
- Balancing current product lines with future EV platforms and charging infrastructure
- Strategic realignment to streamline manufacturing and dealer networks
This market reality explains why Chevrolet and GM are shifting away from the Malibu toward the SUVs that customers increasingly favor and toward upcoming electric models.
Impact on buyers and the Chevrolet lineup
What Malibu buyers and potential shoppers should know about the change and what replaces the space in Chevrolet’s portfolio:
- The Malibu’s 2023 model year is the final one in the US; new Malibu models are no longer offered after that year
- There is no direct midsize sedan replacement in Chevrolet’s current lineup
- Chevrolet’s recommended alternatives within the brand include SUVs such as the Equinox, Blazer, Traverse, and Trailblazer, which offer varying passenger space and cargo capacity
- For those seeking electrified options, Chevrolet is rolling out EV crossovers such as the Blazer EV and Equinox EV, along with the Bolt family for a smaller electric option
- Existing Malibu owners will continue to receive service and parts support through Chevrolet’s national dealer network, with ongoing warranties honored per terms
For shoppers who still want a midsize sedan, brands outside Chevrolet will continue to offer traditional options from rivals, while GM’s strategy emphasizes the crossovers and EVs that dominate today’s market.
Summary
The discontinuation of the Malibu reflects a deliberate shift in the automotive industry: sedans have ceded market share to SUVs and trucks, and automakers are reallocating resources toward highly profitable, high-demand vehicles and electrified platforms. Chevrolet’s focus moving forward is on its SUV lineup and upcoming electric crossovers, while still providing service and support for existing Malibu owners. For customers, the change means considering Chevy’s SUV alternatives or exploring non-GM midsize sedans, with an eye toward the expanding electric-vehicle lineup in the years ahead.
What vehicle is replacing the Chevy Malibu?
The Chevy Malibu is being replaced by the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas, where both vehicles will be produced. The next Bolt EV is expected to be a compact SUV or crossover, not a direct sedan successor to the Malibu, and will be built on GM's Ultium platform.
This video discusses the future of Chevy in NASCAR after the Malibu discontinuation: 1:34brakehardTikTok · May 9, 2024
- Vehicle Replacement: The production line for the Malibu is being converted to build the new Bolt EV. The Cadillac XT4 will also be produced at the same plant.
- Body Style: The new Bolt EV is expected to be a compact SUV or crossover, filling a gap in Chevy's electric lineup, rather than being an all-electric sedan replacement for the Malibu.
- Production Timeline: Production of the next-generation Bolt EV is anticipated to begin in 2025 or 2026.
Is Chevy doing away with Malibu?
The automaker says it now plans on building electric cars like the Chevrolet Bolt in its assembly. Plants this will make the Corvette. The last car in Chevrolet's line.
Is the Chevy Malibu coming back?
No, the current generation of the Chevy Malibu will not continue past the 2025 model year, as production has ended. However, there are reports and rumors that a new-generation Malibu could be introduced for the 2026 or 2027 model year, potentially as an EV or hybrid.
You can watch this video to see what the new redesigned 2026 Chevy Malibu might look like: 49sNext-Gen CarYouTube · Sep 6, 2025
- Discontinuation: The 2025 model year is the last for the current generation Malibu, with production ending to shift focus to electric vehicles.
- Potential Return: The Malibu nameplate is expected to return as a new-generation model, likely for the 2026 or 2027 model year.
- New Model Details: The future Malibu is expected to be a redesigned mid-size sedan with a focus on modern, futuristic styling and technology, possibly with hybrid or electric powertrain options.
Will there be a 2026 Chevy Malibu?
No, there will not be a 2026 Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet ended production of the Malibu in late 2024, with the 2025 model year being the last one for the vehicle. GM is transitioning its production plants to focus on other vehicles, including electric models like the Chevy Bolt and SUVs like the Equinox.
This video explains why the Chevy Malibu was discontinued: 25sKARE 11YouTube · May 13, 2024
- Production ended in 2024: The final Malibu was built in late 2024.
- 2025 was the last model year: The 2025 model was the final one offered to the public.
- Production shifted: The Fairfax assembly plant, where the Malibu was made, is being retooled for other models, such as the electric Bolt and Equinox.
- Chevrolet is focusing on other vehicles: The company's strategy is shifting away from sedans (with the Corvette being an exception) and towards SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles.
